About Singapore
SINGAPORE
introduction
The Republic of Singapore, referred to as Singapore. Singapore is a developed country and a first-tier city in the world. It is known as one of the “Four Little Dragons in Asia”. Its economic model is called “state capitalism.”
According to the 2019 Global Financial Center Index (GFCI) ranking report, Singapore is the fourth largest international financial center after London, New York and Hong Kong. Singapore is also one of Asia’s important service and shipping centers. Singapore is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as one of the member economies of the World Trade Organization, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
In November 2019, Singapore ranked third in the “2019 Global Urban Economic Competitiveness List” and first in the “2019 Global Sustainable Competitiveness List”.
Multilingual environment
Singapore is a country where multiple ethnic groups coexist in harmony. It provides a multilingual environment platform for its citizens. In addition to the working language being English, Chinese is the next common local language because of the bigger population proportion of Chinese. The strong traditional Chinese culture in Singapore also makes Chinese immigrants from China feel like home in Singapore.
As of June 2014, the total population of Singapore: 5.47 million, the ratio of men to women in Singapore: about 3:1, and the population density of Singapore: 7615 people per square kilometer. Singapore citizens are mainly divided into four major ethnic groups: Chinese (Han) accounted for 74.2% of the population, while Malay (13.3%), Indian (9.1%) and Eurasian/Mixed race (3.4%).
An education system that integrates Chinese and Western culture as one international standard
Singapore education system integrates Chinese and Western culture into international standards. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported that Singapore ranked first, after running test surveys on middle school students from 76 countries, citing that Singapore has the most comprehensive national skill levels in both math and science.
Based on 40 years of data analysis, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development believes that cognitive ability is directly related to economic growth. At the same time, the BBC and other major media believe that Singapore is the smartest country in the world. Compared with the Chinese education system, classroom lessons are less hectic. Singapore primary and secondary schools generally adopt a half-day system, emphasizing the cultivation of hands-on ability and combining theory with practice. Junior colleges, colleges and polytechnics run on an open full-day lesson schedule.
Six-year education in elementary school is mandatory for citizens. After completing four or five years of middle school courses, one can choose to study in polytechnic (three or five years), or junior college or high school (two or three years). The latter can choose to go to a university. Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), secondary school’s Cambridge General Level Examination (GCE’O’ Level) and junior/high school graduation’s Cambridge Advanced Level Examination (GCE’A’ Level) are important in the system. Serving as a measurement standard, the test results can directly affect the ability to enter a higher education.
Social Safety and Security
The strict laws and penalties have brought social stability and civilized development to Singapore. Singapore adopts the rule of virtue with one hand and judicial coercion with the other. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew famously said, “If you don’t have an iron hand, you can’t control Singapore. It’s better not to touch your hands”. Indeed, the seemingly barbaric law enforcement have instead created a gentle, polite and courteous Singaporeans and brought Singapore’s prosperity and developed civilization.
A survey was conducted by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) and involved 59 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and many countries in South America, Europe and Asia. The survey shows that Singapore is least affected by criminal gangs in the world and with the most effective police force, making Singapore the safest place for business in the world. People interviewed in the survey agreed that Singapore has a safe business environment and an environment for studying abroad because of Singapore’s strict internal security laws
Food safety and quality
In Singapore, food is not just a substance, it reflects Singapore diversified Southeast Asia culture national culture- a mix of countries such as China, England, India, Malaysia, etc. Singapore foods are also very popular around the world and have been exported to all corners of the world, including China, the Middle East and the United States.
Singaporean food manufacturers attach great importance to food safety, by adhering to strict production procedures which comply with international food hygiene and safety standards, and have obtained international food safety system certification, including hazard analysis critical control points and international standardization organization certification.
Political stability
According to the 2015-2016 Global Competitiveness Report, Singapore ranks first in terms of political stability. As a country with good political infrastructure and decision-making procedures, it is the most transparent country in Asia as well because the government has laws and regulations on business processing and transactions which are strict and clear.
Singapore’s government affairs are very transparent, making it the least corrupt country in Asia and sixth in the global ranking of least corrupt countries. As one of the city countries with the highest living standards in the world, it is also the most competitive country in Asia.
Good business environment
According to the “Global Business Environment Report 2020” released by the World Bank, Singapore ranks second overall, with a small score gap with New Zealand, which ranks first. The Singapore government has been adhering to the pro-business philosophy, attracting many investors into Singapore over the years. As one of the countries with the least government’s business intervention in the world, the procedures for establishing a company in Singapore are also extremely convenient. If you want to register a company in Singapore, you only need log in to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA) and register as required. Moreover, Singapore’s financial market is mature, highly integrated with international trade and convenient for banking. More importantly, Singapore has no foreign exchange controls – funds can flow in and out freely. Compared with the many cumbersome taxes in China, Singapore’s corporate tax rate is singular and fixed with a corporate income tax rate of only 17%
Tourist and shopping paradise
Hong Kong is a “shopping paradise“ to many people. However, there is a country very close to China which is rising as a shopping paradise-the tropical island country Singapore.
Singapore is a like a multicultural international shopping complex. Putting aside clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, electronics, watches, chocolates, candied fruit, and various specialty snacks, Singapore’s souvenirs are enough to dazzle tourists. The main shopping spots are concentrated in Orchard Road, around the City Hall, Marina Square, and in the area around Scotts Street. In these places, you can easily and quickly buy special products such as leather products, silk, traditional Chinese medicine, batik and other products produced in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
In addition, Chinatown, Little India, Bugis, Yarra Street, and Holland Village are places to sell a variety of products which are reasonably-priced, ethnic-specific clothing or handicrafts.
Tourists are spoiled with choices of places to visit – Gardens by the Bay, Gold Sands Casino, Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa and Universal Studio Singapore etc. Each are worth to experiencing and are tailored to deliver a unique Singapore experiences to visitors.